"Now I am an official member of the Olympic Star Fund!" former Beijing marathon champion Ai Dongmei told Xinhua on Friday.

"I've been working for the fund for a week, basically collecting auction stuff," Ai said. Though one of her two clothing shops was shut down, Ai remained confident of the future. The days when she had to sell popcorn and children's clothes in street to make ends meet have gone.

"I will try my best to do something to help those retired athletes who are still caught in predicament," she added.

With 2008 Beijing Olympics approaching, Ai hopes that people can focus on developing China sports, as well as on those retired athletes who once honored their motherland. She calls on entrepreneurs to join her in giving out a helping hand, and she also hopes those hard-set athletes can think about contacting the Olympic Star Fund when necessary.

The Olympic Star Fund was founded by the Red Cross Society of China in April, dedicated to the well-being of retired and physically-challenged athletes as well as potential Olympic stars.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2007)